West Manheim Township was established by an Act of Assembly of Pennsylvania on February 28, 1854. The first Township election was held at the home of Abraham Hershey on March 17, 1854. The first Supervisors elected from the newly created Township were Jacob Mummert and Michael Resh, for one year terms.The rich history of structures, located in the Township, started in 1750 with the building of the St. David Lutheran and Reformed Church. However, perhaps the most notable of structures was the Mary Ann Furnace, erected in 1762. This was the first furnace located west of the Susquehanna River. The furnace was located in the Township due to the large amount of Chestnut Oak timber in the vicinity, which was burned into charcoal and used in smelting iron ore. Mary Ann Furnace's contribution to the history of the United States was to supply cannon balls and grape shot to the American Army and Navy during the American Revolution.

From 1854 to 1960, all Township functions were held at the private home of an elected official. The Township in 1955 made a big step forward in the purchase of a tract of land from Oscar Nace. This tract of land contained a building that was used to house the Township Road Equipment. In 1960, The Township added an addition to the existing structure to conduct Township Meetings and in 1973 another building was constructed to add garage space and an office/meeting are. The two buildings were joined together in 1980 to from one large Municipal Hall that houses the Administrative Offices and Police Department. Also, in the same year a large pole building was constructed at the rear of the tract of land to house the Public Works Department.